“When I Heard You Were Dead” by Wilton Agnew Barrett, published August 1917

The week of July 30 to Aug. 5, 1917, saw the fourth anniversary of the start of the Great War. In “celebration,” the Battle of Passchendaele began as the combined forces of British, French and Belgian troops fought German troops in Belgium for the next three months. By the time the battle was over, between 400,000 and 800,000 men were killed or wounded.

United Press reporter William P. Simms was with the British troops in Flanders Fields.

“More than five tons of gas were loosed by the British against the German inventors of this weapon in last night’s fighting in the great drive,” he wrote on Aug. 1. “A west wind made its use particularly favorable for the British.”

“Artillery continued its execution today,” Simms continued, “the guns roared an unceasing chorus of death all along the line.”

The Selective Service Act was in full force, with men across the country being brought before draft boards. Galesburg was no exception. On Wednesday, it was announced that 103 men would face the board and receive physical exams.

By press time Thursday, of the 45 men who had been examined, 23 claimed exemptions based on dependents; 13 did not pass the physical exam. Only nine were left of that 45. At the end of the week, only 60 soldiers were found out of 308 men.

In Toldeo, Ohio, men faced the board as well. Dr. Samuel Ackerman, about 29 years old, committed suicide by drowning in the Maumee River rather than face the board. Why? Ackerman was born a woman, and had lived, identified and dressed as a man for at least 12 years. Ackerman, an optometrist, had even been married to a woman for nine years, but was now divorced. The 1910 census shows Ackerman as a man in Toledo. The immigrant from the Austrian Empire also had registered for the draft, as any man would.

The true reason for the suicide was not clear. Fear of being discovered during the physical examination was said to be the most likely reason. Poor health, financial difficulties and the possible existence of a daughter in New York were other possible reasons. A suicide note was found on the body.

“Dear brother and friends — on my last day I come to you. You shall do the right thing by me. I have no one to claim my body. I am a Jew. I wish you to bury me as you will find me. Good bye to all.”

While a heat wave gripped the country, including the Midwest, during the week, life and death continued in Knox County as usual.

While in 2017, Galesburg has faced a battle against the invasive Japanese beetle, 1917 faced a pest of its own. Dr. John Van Ness Standish, city forester, wrote of the dangers of the Codling moth, Tussac moth and other insects in the Evening Mail.

“In the last month, I have spent much time in hunting ... enemies that are destroying the beauty of our orchards and gardens,” Standish wrote.

The “Marshall House,” a known “establishment” in Galesburg was raided during the week.

“Business had apparently been good,” read the Evening Mail, “in spite of the early hour, for there was every evidence, the police say, of liquor distribution. F.L. Bridgewater and his wife were taken into custody, the former to be charged with the illegal sale of liquor and the latter for being an inmate of a disorderly house.”

Another woman was also charged with “being an inmate” of the place. The women were fined and “directed to leave town immediately.”

At the same time as the raid, local merchant Charles Gumbiner was a victim of burglary. As the Evening Mail read, “a bold, bad somebody heaved a brick through the plate glass window of the loan office” and stole three revolvers among other items, including watches and jewelry. Gumbiner’s pawn shop was a longtime presence downtown, and a young Carl Sandburg once bought a banjo there.

Also during the week, a man was arrested for disorderly conduct. “Colored man arrested for white hopes,” read the headline in the Evening Mail.

Arch Bryant, 35, was originally from Texas and now lived in Knoxville. He worked for the C.B.& Q. railroad.

“It is claimed,” read the article, “that Bryant has been calling up a young Knoxville girl every day for the past week seeking an opportunity to call upon her. After being ... to obtain an engagement with her, the young man informed the girl that he was colored. A trap was laid. Last night the negro went to the county fairgrounds expecting to meet his white friend. The county authorities awaited him and he is now in the county jail.”

Tragedy struck Knox County as four people were killed and two seriously injured when a train struck their auto at Huntley’s Crossing between Altona and Oneida.

The Oakland “Big 6” touring car was driven by Mrs. Laura Abernethy, 35, of Altona. Alice Larson, 23, was in the front passenger seat. Alice’s sisters, Edna, 27 and Hazel, 12, were in the back seat. 20-year-old Hilda Boquist and 4-year-old Kenneth Swenson, both of Rock Island, were in the back, too.

“Returning from a pleasure tour in Oneida, the young people were approaching Altona and home,” described the Evening Mail. Going the same direction was the Denver Limited.

“Ahead the track was clear, so Mrs. Abernethy turned the sharp corner to cross the tracks. They had heard no whistle and it was not until the machine was on the crossing that the ladies saw the big locomotive bearing down on them.”

“The automobile almost succeeded in beating the train over — but not quite. One of the cylinder heads on the side of the engine caught… twisting the steel frame of the chassis nearly to right angles. The occupants of the car were thrown with it. Those in the back seat met instant death, their bodies being terribly torn and mutilated.”

Laura and Alice were seriously wounded and not expected to live. Alice had “deep gashes” in her head, bruises all over her body and internal injuries. Laura also had deep gashes, bruising and was coughing up blood.

Both women survived. Laura lived until age 73, when she was killed in another car accident, when her husband lost control during a sleet storm. Alice got married the next year.

Talbot Fisher is weekend reporter for The Register-Mail. His weekly column looks at life in Galesburg 100 years ago and its connections to the Great War. Contact him at talbotefisher16@gmail.com; follow him on twitter at @TalbotFisher16

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.